CDC Where to Write for Vital Records
Verified working Aug 3, 2026
Official state-by-state contacts for U.S. vital record requests.
CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics maintains this reference for finding where to request U.S. birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. It points users to the relevant state or territorial vital records office and summarizes practical request details such as addresses, fees, and record-specific notes.
Why it stands out
- Maintained by a federal health statistics agency rather than a commercial records broker.
- Organizes request information by jurisdiction and record type, which helps avoid sending forms to the wrong office.
- Includes practical administrative details that are often scattered across individual state sites.
- Useful for both personal document replacement and historical family research workflows.
Good to know
- The page is a directory, not a universal ordering system; many requests still have to be completed through state, county, or court offices.
- Rules, fees, and eligibility requirements can change, so users should confirm details with the listed agency before mailing forms or payments.
- Scope is focused on U.S. jurisdictions and does not cover international vital records.
Under the radar: For marriage and divorce records, read the jurisdiction notes carefully—some states route those records through county clerks or courts rather than the same office that handles births and deaths.
Photos
Genealogists, legal document applicants, and family researchers can identify the correct U.S. office for vital record requests. Find where to request a certified birth or death certificate after a move or loss of documents. Check whether marriage or divorce records are handled by a state office, county clerk, or court. Compare record request fees and mailing instructions before contacting an agency.
State-by-state vital records directory; coverage for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records; office addresses and contact details; fee and availability notes; links or references to relevant state vital records agencies.
Alternative listings
The official gateway to U.S. federal records and founding documents.
Genealogy & family-history researchArchives.gov is the public website for the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. It helps visitors research federal records, request veterans’ service records, explore founding documents, find educator materials, and plan visits to National Archives locations and Presidential Libraries.
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Similar sites elsewhere
- USA.gov Vital Records — usa.gov/replace-vital-documents
- VitalChek — vitalchek.com
- FamilySearch — familysearch.org
- National Archives Vital Records Guide — archives.gov/research/vital-records
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